Why Apple?
Why I’m still a “fanboy” by
Larry MacPhee
Disclaimers
• The views expressed are those of the presenter and not necessarily the views of the e-Learning Center or Northern Arizona University. • I have no relatives who work for Apple Computer, but I do own 100 shares.
Innovation + Design = Simplicity
Part 1: History
Apple leads the personal computer (PC) industry not in market share, but in innovation. Apple introduces more new technologies to the industry than any other computer company, and most of these technologies eventually find their way into all computers. Apple has shaped the PC industry like no other company. Not IBM. Not Intel. Not Microsoft. Not Adobe. Not HP. Not Dell. The following is a list of Apple firsts. Want to see the future of PCs? Look at Apple today.
1. The Personal Computer
1977
Apple II
2. The GUI
1984
Macintosh
3. Plug and Play
since 1984
Plug and play
4. The LAN
1984
AppleTalk
QuickTime™ an d a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are need ed to see this picture .
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Un compressed) decompressor are neede d to see this picture.
Local Area Network
5. Desktop Publishing
1985
WYSIWYG
Desktop Publishing
6. Hypertext
1987
Hypercard
7. AppleLink
1989
AOL
8. The Modern Laptop
1991
Powerbook
9. Multimedia
1991 Quicktime
10. The PDA
1993
Newton
11. Digital Photography
1994
Quic kTime™ and a TIFF (Unc ompres sed) decompres sor are needed to see this picture.
Quicktake
The Dark Years 1995-97
• • • • • • • • Windows 95 Mac clones Brain drain Copland Performas Spindler Amelio But finally…the return of Steve Jobs
12. The iMac
1998
Just in time for the Internet
13. Wireless
1999
Airport
14. Digital Video
2000
iMovie
15. MacOS X
2000
MacOS X
16. Digital Music
2001
iPod
iTunes
17. The Switch to Intel
2006
• Processor parity • Windows on Mac
Intel
18. iPhone
2007
Apple enters the SmartPhone market
19. AppleTV
2007
Apple tries to repeat iPod’s success with movies
20. The Future?
It all depends on Steve
More good stuff
• http://www.apple-history.com • http://www.folklore.org/index.py
Why Macintosh?
• • • • • Not a major target for hackers Very few viruses affect Macs Runs the most popular software Seamless Hardware, MacOS, iLife integration Total cost of ownership is low, resale value high Great design innovation Easy to use(?) Supportive user community/new friends High customer satisfaction The choice of creative professionals Runs Windows too
• • • • • •
Why not Macintosh?
• • • • • • • • • • • • Some websites will treat you poorly Some services come later to Mac Some applications may not be available Gaming is a drag Some hardware/drivers not Mac compatible Harder to get local repairs More limited shopping options International customers have to wait Costs more up front Mac haters will pick on you You can still use your iPod with a PC Apple can be fickle towards its users
Decisions, decisions
• Is it worth it?